The Venetian Macao Strengthens Leadership Position as a Top Global Celebrity Destination in Macao Building on Global Partnerships

#1 Integrated Resort in Macao Proves Top Draw for A-List Hollywood

MACAO, Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Venetian Macao announced today that it will host Asia’s only VIP screening experience for the opening of The Expendables 3 featuring live appearances by the blockbuster film’s iconic lead actors, SylvesterStallone and ArnoldSchwarzenegger, on August 22nd in celebration of the integrated resort’s 7th anniversary. The most star-powered film franchise in history raises the bar to unprecedented heights with a dream team of global superstars, explosive stunts and mind-boggling weaponry as the mercenary group comes face to face with ruthless arms dealer and Expendables co-founder Conrad Stonebanks whose mission is to wipe out the entire team.

This all-star event bringing renowned Hollywood action heroes to Macao will be the cornerstone of the 7th anniversary celebration for The Venetian Macao, marking another milestone for the integrated resort and further cementing its status as the leading destination in China for global talent. The weekend celebration will culminate in an anticipated UFC fight event at the property.

"The Venetian Macao is absolutely the place to be in Macao to see the biggest and brightest global superstars of film, music, sports and more," said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd. "A star-studded event like the VIP screening of The Expendables 3 provides exceptional entertainment and helps raise the profile of Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure."

Leading Sands China’s drive to increase global awareness of Macao and the Cotai Strip is the company’s multi-tiered entertainment strategy, which continues to attract international superstars from the worlds of music, film, television, sports and more.

The Venetian Macao has established itself as a major stop on world tours, delivering top international entertainers including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, The Police, Avril Lavigne, Eason Chan, Jay Chou, and a record-setting concert by the Rolling Stones. In 2013 alone, the property attracted the tours of Rihanna, Alicia Keysand Justin Bieber.

The Venetian Macao captured the world’s attention in November of that same year with the championship boxing event pitting Manny Pacquiao against Brandon Rios. Superstar athletes at the integrated resort have included Tiger Woods, Yao Ming, Kobe Bryant, andRoger Federer. And one of the world’s most iconic men, David Beckham, has joined forces with The Venetian Macao and Las Vegas Sands’ integrated resort property in Singapore as part of a partnership between Beckham Ventures and Las Vegas Sands.

Award shows, film shoots and movie premieres have given visitors a chance to see in person some of the most recognizable faces of film and television. Hollywood converged at The Venetian Macao last October for the Huading Awards with celebrity appearances by Nicole Kidman, Nicolas Cage, Quentin Tarantino, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Irons, Jackie Chan, Sam Worthingtonand Matthew Perry. The Venetian Macao has rolled out the red carpet to host premieres for films such as My Lucky Star starring Zhang Ziyi and From Vegas to Macau starring Chow Yun Fat and Nicholas Tse — both of which featured scenes shot at the iconic integrated resort — as well as for the DreamWorks Animation films Turbo, Mr. Peabody and Sherman and How to Train Your Dragon 2.

In 2013, events broadcast from the resort’s 15,000 seat Cotai Arena — the largest in all of Macao — reached an audience of nearly 1 billion television viewers in China alone. The resort hosted dozens of high profile events last year, and the property has become a mecca for the film and television industry, securing a plethora of productions, festivals and premieres

2014 has been equally successful for The Venetian Macao as it continues to demonstrate its proven track record as the leader in attracting the biggest names in entertainment: In March, Kevin Spacey took the stage for the Venetian Charity Ball along with Anthony Kennedy Shriver. In April, David Beckhamand Ricky Martin were front-and-center at The Venetian Macao for the China Music Awards. In June, the property hosted a VIP screening for Transformers: Age of Extinction.

The VIP screening for The Expendables 3 will take place in the lavish 1,800 seat Venetian Theatre, where onlookers will be able to catch a glimpse of the glittering array of celebrities as they walk the red carpet at The Venetian Macao.

"Asia, and China especially, are becoming a much bigger part of our business and as their markets continue to expand, it is very important we find ways to bring talent and engage with their audiences in new and exciting ways," said Avi Lerner, Chairman and CEO of Nu Image, Inc. and Millennium Films.

The Venetian Theatre, one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China, is a key player in Sands China’s effort to bring the best international entertainment to Macao, hosting star-studded red carpet events — from movie premieres to renowned movie awards and festivals including the China Music Awards and the Asia Pacific Film Festival. The diversity of entertainment provided by Sands China Ltd. ranges from global superstar performances and world-class sports spectaculars to family-friendly attractions, allowing locals and visitors of all ages a chance to enjoy some of the world’s greatest entertainment acts in Macao.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel

Opened in 2007, The Venetian®Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar‘s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

Millennium Films is one of the longest-running independent film companies in the history of Hollywood, with 20 years and more than 300 movies to its credit. The company now produces, finances and handles international sales for 5-8 star-driven movies per year, generally with budgets between $20 million and $80 million.

Millennium Films is run by co-founders Avi Lerner and Trevor Short, and a senior executive team that includes Mark Gill (president), Boaz Davidson (head of development and creative affairs), John Thompson (head of production), John Fremes (head of international sales) and Lonnie Ramati (head of business affairs).

Millennium also operates full-service studios in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Sofia, Bulgaria. The company was founded in 1992 under the name Nu Image, Inc.